50 years since Hurricane Carla

While this country remembered the September 11th attacks ten years ago Sunday, that day also marked the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Carla.

We put out an Extra edition after the storm made landfall near Port Lavaca:

According to Texas Hurricane History, “Carla was among the largest hurricanes of historical record.” Hurricane force winds were seen along almost the entire Texas coast. By Sept. 9, Carla filled the entire Gulf of Mexico. National Weather Service data showed that hurricane force winds extended 150 miles from the eye, with tropical storm winds extending 250 miles.

It led to the “largest peace time evacuation of an area in history, up until that time”: 500,000 people moved inland to safety.

The storm — a Category 4 — left a path of destruction from Victoria to Dallas, and damage extended into Louisiana. It also caused flooding in the midwest as it disintegrated.

46 people died

26 tornadoes (one in Galveston killed six people)

90% of the homes in Texas City flooded

75% of Port O’Connor was destroyed

Matagorda Island A.F.B. was just about obliterated

Total damages were $325 million ($2.5 billion in today’s dollars).

According to the National Weather Service, Carla “was the most intense hurricane to strike Texas in the 20th century. It is also ranked as the ninth most intense hurricane to strike the United States since 1851.”

Newspapers weren’t the only media to cover Carla. Dan Rather, then a local TV reporter, began the tradition of wind-blown reporters with his coverage – the first of a hurricane live – of the storm.

San Antonians dug into their pockets and donated to the Red Cross, who also sent volunteers to the devastated areas. The Express reported that around 8,000 evacuees came to San Antonio. All motels and hotels were full by Sunday afternoon. Shelters were set up at Fort Sam Houston and Kelly, Randolph and Lackland AFBs. Churches and private homes were also offered by the community. Heavy rains were expected.